Watisoni Votu on the charge for Fiji © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

Players/Officials: Dean Mumm | Watisoni Votu

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: England | Exeter Chiefs

The Exeter Chiefs are closing in on the capture of Fijian winger Watisoni Votu ahead of next season.

Votu turned out for Fiji in the recent Pacific Nations Cup and looks set to be the Chiefs' last addition ahead of next term. They have already recruited eight players with the likes of Worcester's Kai Horstmann and Scarlets' Damian Welch both joining.

Baxter has now admitted that he is on the verge of bringing Votu to Sandy Park and he is looking forward to working with the winger. "We are pretty much done," Baxter told the Exeter Express and Echo. "There is the potential there maybe for one more back but seeing how Votu has got on in the recent internationals, he has shown real quality.

"We think he is probably more up to speed with XVs rugby than we initially thought so that is good for us. It is looking for players who are already good but you know can make big improvements - they are the type of players you want to recruit as often as you can. There are no issues that say we need to sign another.

"We are pretty comfortable with where we are now, and I would be very happy to start the season with the squad we've got in place now."

While the majority of the squad are currently in the midst of pre-season training, one player who's missing is Austrlaian lock Dean Mumm. He is still turning out in Super Rugby and Baxter admits that his arrival may be delayed further.

"It is a little bit frustrating," said Baxter. "It will mean that if he isn't called into the Australia squad then there is the chance that he can do some pre-season work. That's what you've got to do at times - you have to work around the international season sometimes."